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April 28 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 118

Now that we've been reading through Isaiah and have seen the circumstances the prophet addresses, it helps put into perspective why the church has used some of these passages to point to Christ.  Think about what it means for us to read Isaiah 40 at Christmastime, for example.  

Watch today's Bible Project video that illustrates the second part of Isaiah's book.



DAILY READINGS

Isaiah 39-41 & Psalm 118

DAILY NOTES

Isaiah 39

  • The king of Babylon sends representatives to wish Hezekiah well after his illness.  This seems like a nice gesture, but may be a first attempt to get Hezekiah to side with them.
  • Notice how quickly Hezekiah shows off the nation's treasures.  "There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them."  Why was he so giddy?  Was he worried?  
  • Isaiah sees this as a sign of a future domination by Babylon.
  • The first part of Isaiah dealt with Assyria.  This chapter seems to take a turn toward Babylon.
Isaiah 40
  • You'll notice from Chapter 40 on a constant reminder of a time to come with the people of God will be restored.  Considering their plight with Babylon, this is a message of comfort (Comfort, O comfort, my people).
    • Or "console, console My people," says your God.
  • To "make straight in the desert a highway for our God" reckons to the time when the people will be able to return to their homeland.
  • God has authority over all people and all Creation.  Isaiah uses that as a reminder for the people.  That is how God will fulfill this promise.
Isaiah 41
  • The other detail we will continually hear about is the emptiness of idols.  They are made by human hands that do not control anything.  The gods they represent do not have power.  The people are to look to God for strength and power.
Psalm 118
  • Verse 22 is quoted in Matthew, Mark and Luke.
  • God has given the psalmist and the community victory.  Therefore, praise is due.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Hezekiah was considered to be a righteous king.  That does not mean he was perfect.  When the envoys come from Babylon he immediately allows them to view all of his treasure.  That may not seem like a big deal to us, but he is, for all practical purposes, opening the door to a new relationship with the foreign nation.  When Isaiah warns him of what will happen, Hezekiah takes it as a good fortune: For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my days" (39:8).

Any other time Hezekiah would have sought the Lord's direction.  He would have asked Isaiah, for example, what he should do, if anything.  It feels like he was determined to see things his way.  That's why he seemed oblivious to what Isaiah was saying.

Aren't you glad that never happens to us?

We always seek God's direction.  We would never make decisions without input from the Lord.  We always ask ourselves what God's will is.  So, what could we ever learn from Hezekiah's actions?

Stay blessed...john

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